Description
The Muffaletta is an iconic New Orleans sandwich that combines layers of Italian cold cuts, cheeses, and a bold, tangy olive salad on a round Sicilian-style bread. Originating from Central Grocery in the French Quarter, this hearty sandwich is a flavor-packed, make-ahead meal perfect for picnics, game days, or a satisfying lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Olive Salad:
- 1 cup green olives, pitted and chopped
- 1 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup roasted red bell peppers, chopped
- ⅓ cup pickled banana peppers, chopped
- ⅓ cup pepperoncini, chopped
- ¼ cup capers, drained
- ½ cup celery, finely chopped
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Sandwich:
- 1 round Sicilian or Italian loaf (about 10 inches in diameter)
- ¼ lb Genoa salami, thinly sliced
- ¼ lb mortadella, thinly sliced
- ¼ lb capicola (or ham), thinly sliced
- ¼ lb provolone cheese, sliced
- ¼ lb mozzarella cheese, sliced
Instructions
Make the Olive Salad (Best When Made Ahead)
- In a medium bowl, combine green olives, black olives, roasted red bell peppers, banana peppers, pepperoncini, capers, celery, red onion, and garlic.
- Add olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), and black pepper. Mix well.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.
Assemble the Muffaletta:
- Slice the Italian round loaf in half horizontally.
- Generously spread olive salad (with its juices) over both halves of the bread.
- Layer the bottom half with salami, mortadella, capicola (or ham), provolone, and mozzarella, evenly distributing each ingredient.
- Place the top half of the bread over the layered fillings.
Press & Serve:
- Wrap the sandwich tightly in plastic wrap and let it rest for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This allows the olive salad juices to soak into the bread.
- Slice into wedges and serve at room temperature
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the sandwich
- Calories: ~650 kcal
- Sugar: ~2g
- Sodium: ~1,500 mg
- Fat: ~40g
- Saturated Fat: ~15g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~22g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~45g
- Fiber: ~4g
- Protein: ~35g
- Cholesterol: ~80 mg